Come on now, you know you want to. I did run this past my own GM, and got the answer, "yeah, I would allow it". Maybe he's wrong, anyway, here are my thoughts.
First of all, pick your dragon type, ie, gold dragon, green dragon, etc. This should inform alignment, and many other abilities. For example, if you're a Brass dragon, you might just be a fire sorcerer. Secondly, why are you an adventurer. Come on people, be creative. Thirdly, what you get...
Pick your "usual' species as you usually would, this is the species you have when in humanoid form, complete with species abilities, free talents, attribute bonuses, and whatever. This is separate from your dragon species.
Dragon abilities It takes you 1 round (and all your actions) to swap between humanoid and dragon forms. Your class abilities should not be available in dragon form, and dragon abilities only available in dragon form. This includes equipment as it is temporarily absorbed into the dragon form.
The following abilities only available in dragon form Armor class : AC = 10 + PB + CON bonus + DEX bonus. does not include physical armor from humanoid form. Claw/Claw/Bite : 2 claw attacks, each for 1D6 at levels 1/5/11/17 : Bite attack only if both claws hit, as a bonus action, 1D10 at levels 1/5/11/17 Breath Weapon : This depends on your dragon species, and some might have 2 breath weapons. Some is a line, others a cone. Range is 10 foot + (3 foot x level). Damage is around 1D8 per level. Compare Dice used to cantrips of a similar damage type. Your breath weapon can be used a number of times (per long rest) equal to your PB. Frightful Aura : 20 foot + 5 foot/level radius, wisdom save or frightened 1 min(save/round). 1/long rest. This is your draconic frightful presence. You can choose who to affect in range. Once a target resists your Frightful Aura, they are immune to it for 24 hours. Resistances : This depends on your dragon species. You can pick immunity to 1 damage type or resistance to 2 damage types. Movement : Flight, speed = 30 + 3/level.
This might seam like alot, but most of these abilities are little more than cantrips in effect, while others are fairly of low effect but grow with you as you level. Also notice that other equipment and class abilities are not available in dragon form.
Your size should start out like a hatchling/wyrmling at level 1, a young dragon at level 6, an adult dragon at level 12 , and an ancient dragon at level 18. Consult the dragon species for specifics (and then balance things up with your resident GM).
Come on now, you know you want to.
I did run this past my own GM, and got the answer, "yeah, I would allow it".
Maybe he's wrong, anyway, here are my thoughts.
First of all, pick your dragon type, ie, gold dragon, green dragon, etc. This should inform alignment, and many other abilities. For example, if you're a Brass dragon, you might just be a fire sorcerer.
Secondly, why are you an adventurer. Come on people, be creative.
Thirdly, what you get...
Pick your "usual' species as you usually would, this is the species you have when in humanoid form, complete with species abilities, free talents, attribute bonuses, and whatever. This is separate from your dragon species.
Dragon abilities
It takes you 1 round (and all your actions) to swap between humanoid and dragon forms.
Your class abilities should not be available in dragon form, and dragon abilities only available in dragon form. This includes equipment as it is temporarily absorbed into the dragon form.
The following abilities only available in dragon form
Armor class : AC = 10 + PB + CON bonus + DEX bonus. does not include physical armor from humanoid form.
Claw/Claw/Bite : 2 claw attacks, each for 1D6 at levels 1/5/11/17
: Bite attack only if both claws hit, as a bonus action, 1D10 at levels 1/5/11/17
Breath Weapon : This depends on your dragon species, and some might have 2 breath weapons.
Some is a line, others a cone. Range is 10 foot + (3 foot x level).
Damage is around 1D8 per level. Compare Dice used to cantrips of a similar damage type.
Your breath weapon can be used a number of times (per long rest) equal to your PB.
Frightful Aura : 20 foot + 5 foot/level radius, wisdom save or frightened 1 min(save/round). 1/long rest.
This is your draconic frightful presence. You can choose who to affect in range.
Once a target resists your Frightful Aura, they are immune to it for 24 hours.
Resistances : This depends on your dragon species. You can pick immunity to 1 damage type or resistance to 2 damage types.
Movement : Flight, speed = 30 + 3/level.
This might seam like alot, but most of these abilities are little more than cantrips in effect, while others are fairly of low effect but grow with you as you level. Also notice that other equipment and class abilities are not available in dragon form.
Your size should start out like a hatchling/wyrmling at level 1, a young dragon at level 6, an adult dragon at level 12 , and an ancient dragon at level 18. Consult the dragon species for specifics (and then balance things up with your resident GM).
When faced with an issue, most people would rather be negative than find a solution.